Basically, Black holes are the evolutionary endpoints of stars at least 10 to 15 times as large as the Sun. Black holes are concentrated areas of mass so strong, that the force of gravity denies anything within a certain area around it from passing. This area is called the event horizon of a black hole. We have given black holes their name because light inside the event horizon can never be seen by mankind. We believe that black holes in space are created by the collapse of a red super giant star. As these stars reach the end of their lives, an imbalance of inward and outward pressure forces the star to collapse.
Black holes can be any size. Scientists think the smallest black holes are as small as just one atom. These black holes are very tiny but have the mass of a large mountain. Mass is the amount of matter (the material substance that occupies space) in an object. The largest black holes are called "supermassive". These black holes have masses that are more than 1 million Suns put together. Scientists have found proof that every large galaxy (like the Milky Way) contains a supermassive black hole at it's center.
"All About Black Holes." Learn More at Space.com. From Satellites to Stars, NASA information, Astronomy, the Sun and the Planets, we have your information here. 16 Feb. 2009 http://www.space.com/blackholes/.
What are black holes?
Basically, Black holes are the evolutionary endpoints of stars at least 10 to 15 times as large as the Sun. Black holes are concentrated areas of mass so strong, that the force of gravity denies anything within a certain area around it from passing. This area is called the event horizon of a black hole. We have given black holes their name because light inside the event horizon can never be seen by mankind. We believe that black holes in space are created by the collapse of a red super giant star. As these stars reach the end of their lives, an imbalance of inward and outward pressure forces the star to collapse.For more information and pictures of Black Holes, check out these websites:
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/what-is-a-black-hole-k4.html
http://www.space.com/blackholes/
http://hubblesite.org/explore_astronomy/black_holes/ (This one has some experiments, too. Try them!)
Black holes can be any size. Scientists think the smallest black holes are as small as just one atom. These black holes are very tiny but have the mass of a large mountain. Mass is the amount of matter (the material substance that occupies space) in an object. The largest black holes are called "supermassive". These black holes have masses that are more than 1 million Suns put together. Scientists have found proof that every large galaxy (like the Milky Way) contains a supermassive black hole at it's center.
For more information on Black Holes in the Milky Way, visit these sites:
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/mystery_monday_041115.html
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/mystery_monday_031124.html
Now that you have this information, you should be able to successfully answer these questions:
- What is a Black Hole?
- How big is a Black Hole?
- Where are Black Holes found?
Create a voice thread answering these questions.Lochner, Jim. "Black Holes." Imagine The Universe! Home Page. 16 Feb. 2009 http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/science/know_l2/black_holes.html.
Smith, Heather R. "NASA - What Is a Black Hole?" NASA - Home. 16 Feb. 2009 http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/what-is-a-black-hole-k4.html.
"All About Black Holes." Learn More at Space.com. From Satellites to Stars, NASA information, Astronomy, the Sun and the Planets, we have your information here. 16 Feb. 2009 http://www.space.com/blackholes/.
HubbleSite: Black Holes: Gravity's Relentless Pull. Space Telescope Science Institute. 16 Feb. 2009 http://hubblesite.org/explore_astronomy/black_holes/.
Bunn, Ted. "BLACK HOLES by Ted Bunn." 16 Feb. 2009 http://cosmology.berkeley.edu/Education/BHfaq.html#top.